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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "William Barry" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bwilliambarry@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2019 10:43:41 +0100
Subject: Please Handle This Project....

I am compelled to write you this email for reasons of great business importance; I am in need of your assistance in a lucrative Business Deal were I want you to act as a beneficiary of the fund from your Country, I assure you that this project is feasible and I have worked out a perfect plan to make it successful. Kindly indicate your interest by responding to my private email below. I shall discuss details of my proposition comprehensively with you immediately I receive your positive feedback,  contact me via (Bwilliambarry@outlook.com) for more details.
 
William Barry.

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Anti-fraud resources: